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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Zucchini Cake with Blueberries

    LAST UPDATED: September 9, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: July 18, 2019 By Toni Dash 29 Comments

    Zucchini Cake with Blueberries

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Zucchini Cake title image

    Zucchini Cake is an easy dessert recipe perfect for summer. This version adds fresh blueberries and a delicious tangy cream cheese frosting!

    Zucchini Cake title image

    Zucchini is a light, delicious summer squash that is perfect in so many recipes.

    If you have a home garden, you may have found this recipe frantically searching how to use your harvest!

    This lightly sweet, relaxed one-layer Zucchini Cake is a perfect choice. Easy to make and with the addition of fresh blueberries for an additional naturally sweet touch!

    Don’t miss Chocolate Zucchini Cake and Zucchini Muffins too!

    What is Zucchini Cake?

    A kissing cousin of Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Cake is a moist lightly sweet cake incorporating grated zucchini squash.

    If you have not enjoyed a slice the idea of vegetables in your dessert may be a turn off. Never fear!

    Why Put Zucchini in Cake?

    Zucchini has a high amount of moisture.

    When combined with the regular cake ingredients adds to the moistness that is so appealing.

    The grated zucchini blends into the cake and does not affect the texture at all.

    Most importantly, the moist delicious cake does not taste like zucchini at all!

    zucchini cake with blueberries slice

    Zucchini Cake Ingredients

    Homemade zucchini cake has the same ingredients as a regular cake. The addition of grated zucchini and fresh blueberries is what makes this recipe special!

    • All-Purpose Flour (regular or gluten-free)
    • Baking Soda
    • Baking Powder
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Light Brown Sugar
    • Eggs
    • Vegetable Oil
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Whole Milk
    • Grated Zucchini
    • Fresh Blueberries

    Don’t Peel Zucchini for Cake

    It’s not necessary to peel zucchini for this cake recipe.

    Because the zucchini is grated the peel blends in easily with the other ingredients.

    Make it Gluten-Free

    We’ve tested this zucchini cake recipe with all-purpose (gluten) flour and gluten-free flour. It’s delicious both ways.

    Gluten-Free Flour Recommendation

    Using measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blends is the easiest way to get a great baking result. It’s also easy since the flour blending is taken care of.

    My recommendation is NOT to select a blend with garfava flour for baked goods. Though it has good binding properties, it has a very beany flavor not well-matched with baked desserts.

    zucchini cake with blueberries garnish

     

    My Favorite Way to Prepare a Cake Pan

    Preparing a cake pan for easy release after the cake is baked is a key for success.

    Though greasing and flouring the pan may work fine, I have a preferred method that always guarantees smooth release.

    Lining a Cake Pan with Parchment Paper

    1. Cut a piece of parchment paper larger than the size of the cake pan.
    2. Place the cake pan on the parchment paper and trace around the bottom with a pencil onto the parchment paper.
    3. Cut out the parchment circle.
    4. Grease (I usually use butter) or spray the bottom of the pan with non-stick spray.
    5. Place the parchment circle inside the pan and press it to the prepared bottom.
    6. Spray the parchment and the sides of the pan with non-stick spray.
    7. Add a small amount of flour to the pan. Rotate the pan, to cover with a light layer of flour; tapping the pan to release any excess flour (discard excess).

    After the cake is baked, it will come out easily and the parchment paper peels off the cake with ease too.

    How to Make Zucchini Cake – Step by Step

    This cake is easy to make! It’s not fussy in the least. No matter what your baking skill level it’s a wonderful cake to make.

    For detailed printable instructions refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post.

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. Refer to my favorite cake pan preparation method above.

    zucchini cake recipe process photo collage

    In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, sugars and cinnamon (photo 1).

    Create a well in the center of the flour mixture (photo 2).

    Add the eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk into the center of the flour mixture well (photo 2).

    Whisk batter together until smooth (photo 3).

    zucchini cake recipe steps collage

    Fold in the grated zucchini (photo 4) and blueberries to the batter (photo 5).

    Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth as necessary (photo 6).

    Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.

    TIP: check the cake at 30 minutes and bake longer if needed. Top will golden brown.

    Remove from oven and cool completely.

    How to Frost this Zucchini Cake

    This cake can be frosted in many ways depending on your preference:

    Buttercream Cream Cheese Frosting

    The frosting included in the recipe is a creamy, tangy frosting option. It’s easy to make.

    Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar

    The Zucchini Cake flavor is light. A sprinkle of powdered sugar may be all you want!

    PRO TIP: For easy dusting of the cake top, add some powdered sugar into a fine mesh sieve/strainer. Move the strainer over the top of the cake while tapping the side with the opposite hand. This creates a fine powder over the cake.

    Vanilla Frosting

    This is a great option to frost the cake but with less tanginess if cream cheese frostings are not your favorite.

    Timesaving Tip: Buy premade frosting to quickly frost the cake with no effort.

    zucchini cake with blueberries on green plate

    More Delicious Cake Recipes

    • Strawberry Cake: an Easy Summer Cake Recipe
    • Italian Cream Cake: a Special Occasion Cake You’ll Want Every Day!
    • Eggnog Magic Cake
    • The Best Hummingbird Cake
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Zucchini Cake title image

    Zucchini Cake with Blueberries

    Moist, sweet Zucchini Cake is a delicious relaxed one layer cake. The addition of fresh blueberries adds an irresistible natural sweetness. Topped with sweet tangy Buttercream Cream Cheese frosting or just a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 10 Serves 8-10
    Calories: 386kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Zucchini Cake

    • 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (regular or gluten-free) If making gluten-free use a measure-for-measure flour blend (I used Bobs Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
    • 1½ teaspoon Baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup Light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
    • 2 large Eggs
    • 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup Whole milk room temperature
    • 1 ½ cups grated Zucchini
    • 1 cup fresh blueberries plus more for garnish

    Frosting

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
    • 1 1/4 cups Confectioner's (powdered) sugar sifted to remove lumps
    • 1/8 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon Heavy Cream

    Instructions

    Zucchini Cake

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. Refer to my favorite pan preparation method in the Notes.
    • In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugars and cinnamon. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
    • Add the eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk into the center of the flour mixture well. Mix batter together until smooth.
    • Fold in the grated zucchini and blueberries to the batter.
    • Pour batter into the prepared pan and baking for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.
    • Remove from oven. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

    Frosting

    • To make the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese together with a mixer until smooth.
    • Add the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, and heavy cream and beat until smooth.
    • Frost cooled cake with cream cheese frosting and garnish with additional blueberries if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jess says

      July 26, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Hi,

      Are you supposed to add the baking powder in with the dry ingredients? It isn’t mentioned in the recipe! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        July 26, 2020 at 1:56 pm

        Add it with the other dry ingredients!

        Reply
    2. Celebrate Woman Today says

      July 22, 2019 at 9:02 am

      Zucchinis are so versatile and can be added to many recipes. Desserts are great with it!

      Reply
    3. Nancy Horn says

      July 19, 2019 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      I’m a huge zucchini bread fan so I think I would LOVE to make this. Never thought of pairing it with blueberries!

      Reply
    4. Katie says

      July 19, 2019 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      The addition of blueberries makes this cake even that much better! Such a delicious mix!

      Reply
    5. Rachel says

      July 19, 2019 at 11:01 am

      I am currently collecting recipes for zucchini. This looks so delicious.

      Reply
    6. Suzy says

      July 19, 2019 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      This is a show stopping dessert! Love the zucchini inside and the frosting on top! just perfect!

      Reply
    7. Catalina says

      July 19, 2019 at 2:23 am

      5 stars
      I am in heaven! This cake looks divine! I will make it this summer!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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